The obsession of the media as well as the society of having slim bodie...Published in the June edition of the peer-reviewed journal Obesity...White women of average weight are the only ethnic-gender group stu...The researchers noted that in addition to cultural expectations g... These data suggest that our society's emphasis on weight loss rat...

The obsession of the media as well as the society of having slim bodies may not be enough motivation for couch potatoes to get up and exercise// , according to a UCLA study. In fact the repeated stress on weight loss may make obese people more determined to spend time doing nothing, the study said.

Published in the June edition of the peer-reviewed journal Obesity, the cross-cultural study finds that women are more likely to categorize themselves as overweight than men, both overall and within each ethnic group. In addition, African Americans are least likely and whites most likely to consider themselves overweight. The study finds that even among many adults of average or normal weight -- men in particular -- a self-perceived weight problem correlates with sedentary behavior.

White women of average weight are the only ethnic-gender group studied in which the proportion of sedentary individuals is not higher among those who consider themselves overweight, versus average weight, the study shows. White women are also the only ethnic-gender group in which average-weight individuals comprise the majority.

The researchers noted that in addition to cultural expectations, greater access to fitness programs, "walkable" neighborhoods, quality child and elder care, and flexible work hours all help make the choice to be active easier for white women overall than their Latina and African American counterparts.

"These data suggest that our society's emphasis on weight loss rather than lifestyle change may inadvertently discourage even non-obese people from adopting or maintaining the physical activity necessary for long-term good health," said Dr. Antronette Yancey, lead author of the study and associate professor of health services at the UCLA School of Public Health.

"All groups may benefit from messages that shift the focus away from a specific target weight and associated calorie counting, and instead promote increased
physical activity and healthy eating habits," Yancey said. "We still need to learn more about the relationship between overweight self-perception and healthy lifestyle change, and the apparent protective role of the cultural valuation of thinness and stigmatization of obesity in the battle of the bulge." The study used data from the 2002–03 Los Angeles County Health Survey, a random telephone survey conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Of 14,154 eligible adults contacted, 8,167 completed interviews, or 58 percent. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported weight and height, and each individual was classified as underweight, normal, overweight or obese. Self-perceived weight status was measured using direct questions asking participants to identify themselves as overweight, underweight or average for their height. Sedentary behavior was measured using standardized questions from an adaptation of the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Among specific findings:

* The prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Angelenos by race/ethnicity and gender was fairly typical of national samples. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was highest in African Americans and Latinos, intermediate in whites, and lowest in Asians-Pacific Islanders. The pattern was consistent among both men and women within each group.

(Date:12/8/2016)... ... December 08, 2016 , ... Catalent Pharma Solutions, the ... and consumer health products, today announced that it had joined the Pharmaceutical Supply ... non-profit organization to unite pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that share a vision of ...

(Date:12/8/2016)... ... December 08, 2016 , ... Today’s patients are ... this in mind, SIGVARIS has created a new line of anti-embolism stockings to ... and provide the benefits of graduated compression when transitioning from recovery to early ...

(Date:12/8/2016)... ... 2016 , ... The Dianne Michael Insurance Agency, an Ohio-based ... is embarking on a charity drive with the aim of generating support for ... or neglected senior dogs in the Cincinnati region, and LuvFurMutts volunteers also work ...

(Date:12/8/2016)... ... December 08, 2016 , ... The Compretta Insurance Agency, a family owned ... and around the Hancock County area, is announcing the launch of a charity effort ... The Hancock County Food Pantry has worked for more than 30 years to meet ...

(Date:12/7/2016)... ... 2016 , ... Students attending Envision’s summer 2017 National ... hands-on experience in an emergency medical simulation, When Care is Hours Away. This ... medical skills that are critical success in a future career and beyond. , ...

(Date:12/8/2016)... , Dec. 8, 2016 A new study ... that the use of opioid therapy to treat chronic ... the likelihood of more harmful consequences, including death. ... M.D., and Zankhana Mehta , M.D., authored the ... on chronic opioid therapy. The study was published in ...

(Date:12/8/2016)... -- According to the research report, the opportunity ... expected to be worth US$9.7 bn by the end of ... forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is ... players operating in the global diabetes injection pens market are ... Ltd., and Sanofi S.A. Transparency Market Research reports that the ...